Marriage or single life? 20 advantages and disadvantages

Having a partner and starting a family: this is the goal and/or desire of a large number of people in the world. The idea of ​​marrying a stable partner is seen as something normative at a social level, as if it were a universal aspiration shared by all human beings. In fact, the fact remaining single has been the subject of ridicule and ridicule for many centuries.

However, in today's society many people advocate staying single, claiming that it is not necessary to share your life with a partner to be happy and that supposes great benefits and a longer life free. And with that comes the controversial debate as to which is better: Marriage or single life? Below we reflect on some aspects of this interesting question.

• You may be interested in: "8 Types of Singleness: What Kinds of Single People Are There?"

a complex question

Resolving the question that gives its name to this article is not easy. First of all, we are talking about something very subjective, and you can get different answers depending on the person you ask. This is because everyone has very different values, beliefs, and needs.

Secondly, we must bear in mind that being single or married may not depend on the will of the personto: there are many people who are single not because they want to, but because they can't find someone to stop being single with despite wanting it with all their might, or because despite having a partner they do not have the means to live with this. Likewise, it is also possible to find in various cultures cases of marriages in which their contracting parties have been forced to become spouses, which is seriously detrimental to them.

Finally, regarding whether it is better to be single or married, why does there have to be one option that is clearly better than the other? The truth is that both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so determining which is better depends largely on the objectives that each person has been raised as vital goals. Below we present the positive and negative aspects of each of the options.

• Related article: "Is it possible to be single and be happy? The 8 benefits of not having a partner"

Arguments in favor of marriage

Here are some of the ideas that the statistics reflect in the comparison between married and single. In the case of married people, we find that the statistics reveal a series of advantages over singles.

a longer life

One of the most widely known arguments in favor of marriage in the controversy between whether it is better to be single or married is that On average, married people tend to live longer (around three specifically) than single women.

This data has been confirmed in different investigations. However, it must be taken into account that this effect does not have to be a consequence of the marriage itself, and may be due to other reasons. many reasons and it is even possible that it is not that people are healthier because they get married but that those who are healthier tend to get marry.

Stability: they have a regular support framework

Although family of origin and friends are a great social support, married people enjoy another point of support that shares a large part of their lives with them. As long as we are talking about a healthy and well-matched relationship, having a partner is a protective element of stress. Although in turn it can be a source of it, depending on the relationship maintained between its components.

In any case, marriage also serves to regularize time and allows establishing routines. predictable that, although they can become monotonous over time, can serve as support in moments of strain.

Better prognosis against heart disease

Especially in the case of women, it has been detected that in married people there is greater chance of survival against heart problems, as well as other types of serious illnesses.

Provides a source of brain stimulation

With age, human beings tend to reduce contact with other people outside their closest circle. In this context, the existence of a couple provides cognitive stimulation which acts as a protective factor against diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Greater amount of total economic resources

Being two at home allows economically have more capital, which in turn implies a greater possibility of obtaining desired goods or services, such as renting or buying a house.

Social rights and privileges

Although today's society is dynamic and fluid, it is still configured under the assumption that citizens will tend to marry. They exist then a series of social, cultural and even legal benefits and economic ones designed for married couples from which singles cannot benefit or to which they have more difficult access (aid, adoptions, etc.).

Marriage: elements against

However, in the comparison with singles, the presence of a number of disadvantages of marriage.

It can be a source of stress

Although, as we have said, the couple is a protective factor from stress, depending on the situation in which the couple finds themselves, it can in fact be a source of it. Troubled relationships or long-term problems can aggravate stress, tension and frustration of a person. It all depends on the dynamics that occur in the relationship.

The social circle tends to narrow

Although it does not occur in all cases and currently this trend has diminished, traditionally there has been a certain predisposition that married people the obligations and the time dedicated to the couple In the case of married people, it causes a progressive distancing from the usual social circle, restricting socialization to the closest circle and to friends in common. On the other hand, the relationship with the latter tends to be somewhat deeper.

They tend to lead a more sedentary and less healthy life

Statistically it has been proven that having a stable partner usually correlates with a decreased level of physical exercise achieved and interest in maintaining the figure (thus lowering healthy behaviors), as well as a tendency to abandon.

Less personal autonomy

The fact of sharing your life with someone means that you have to take into account how your own actions can affect the other person. In this sense, one's desires and desires must be reflected in order to maintain a common project, which may cause some to be delayed or modified.

The perks of a single life

On the other hand, the life of a single person also reflects a series of advantages compared to people who have married, some advantages that we present below.

Increased level of physical exercise and health

It has been shown that, on average, single people tend to do a much higher level of sport, something that, apart from maintaining physical shape, protects their health. In fact, singles register fewer cardiovascular diseases, although its survival rate is lower. Likewise, it has been shown that, as a general rule, they tend to have more stable and regular sleep cycles, sleeping better than married people.

• You may be interested in: "The 10 psychological benefits of practicing physical exercise"

Higher level of autonomy

The bachelor or bachelorette has more free time and much more choice, since he does not have to stop to think about what another person wants like when you maintain a stable relationship. So what, how, when and with whom to do something can be chosen more easily, without having to negotiate with anyone. This also implies that there is a greater option to pursue individual personal goals.

Economic independence

It is possible that married people, having the financial support of the other, have a greater amount of capital. However, being in a relationship means investing a large part of it in common elements. Singles, however, are in this sense more independent, being able to distribute their money as they want without having to negotiate on what.

They live a more heterogeneous life

Married people tend to live a more regular and stable life, with a greater number of fixed routines. However, single people have more free time and can afford more diverse experiences without having to plan too far in advance (beyond what other obligations require). They can travel, play sports or pursue their hobbies without having to explain to anyone.

Greater ability to socialize

Although living as a couple does not eliminate socialization, single people tend to be more open to establishing new relationships, meeting more people and expanding their social circle. Also it is easier to maintain ties with friends and acquaintances, by not focusing their attention on the couple.

Facilitates the exercise of resilience

The fact of not having someone with you to lean on in case of need can be devastating. However, forces the person to exercise their resilience in a much more powerful way than before someone with such support.

• Related article: "Resilience: definition and 10 habits to enhance it"

Disadvantages of being single

As with married people, being single also entails a series of disadvantages that we list below.

Lower level of stability and support

As we have mentioned before, having a partner helps to maintain a regular and relatively stable life, helping to focus efforts on specific points. Single people tend to have a higher level of freedom, but do not enjoy such a stable and relatively secure environment.

Having a stable partner and/or being married means having frequent contact with someone who, in principle, can be supported in times of need. While family and friends can also be powerful supports, single people do not enjoy this extra reinforcement.

Healthier, but at the same time more risky behaviors

Although they are more likely to play sports and in general take better care of themselves, singles tend to engage in more risky behaviors. The consumption of tobacco and drugs is more frequent, as well as the performance of high-risk sports or the practice of risky sexual relations.

Worse prognosis in recovery from serious illnesses

Singleness, especially when it is involuntary, has been shown to tends to be associated with a lower survival rate or recovery from serious disorders such as cardiovascular.

Socially they are less taken into account

Society is structured around the concept of couples and families. Single people will find that many institutions offer different options and advantages that they cannot access, or they find it more complex to do so.

Final score

The final conclusion of the question that gives rise to this article is that each of the options It has advantages and disadvantages both in the short and long term., depending on the answer to each person's question, her personality, her values ​​and desires and the type of relationships she has throughout her life.

Likewise, the data that we have reflected in the article are data extracted from different statistics, indicating only general trends. Not all the married nor all the singles live their marital status in the same way, so the elements mentioned are not true in all cases.